The Area Denial Weapon
For the Prepper/Survivalist/Armed Prepared Citizen who has a decent sized retreat property, adequately defending it can often times be somewhat of a challenge. One of the biggest issues, is usually a lack of manpower. Having multiple areas of approach to cover with security 24/7, means you need people to do it. Those folks manning security posts, are not doing the other daily tasks that will need to be done in a true WROL situation. This means you need even more people…
Enter the force multiplier. A force multiplier refers to something that increases/multiplies the effectiveness of an item or group, giving a given number of people or weapons the ability to accomplish greater things than without it. Now, I will say up front, I’ve seen many folks dismiss this idea. That’s fine, but at least hear me out. Military’s have been taking steps for many decades now, to try and increase the fire effectiveness and maneuverability of the small unit. In WWII we had the BAR. The Russians developed the well known RPK. In modern times, we have the new M27 IAR. The RPK and the M27 are the two that gave me the most reference for this idea.
Both the RPK and M27 share the attributes of being the same caliber, same overall design, and using the same magazines as their standard issue counterparts. This allows for logistical commonality, but give the small unit (usually squad level) a bit of increased firepower, without the weight and bulk of the beltfed weapons that are normally associated with the same role. So how does this fit in for us as Armed Prepared Citizens? Well, going back to the retreat property, or even just securing your neighborhood, the idea is to have something that will give you a bit of sustained fire capability, and deny attackers the use of a given area or avenue of approach.
My solution, is this. Since my family/friends are fairly 5.56 AR centric for our defensive weapons, I built up my version of a poor mans RPK/M27 using a Palmetto State Armory stripped lower, lower part build kit, and a 20″ free floated 5.56 upper. To this I added a Magpul bipod and a Primary Arms 3x compact Prism Scope. To feed it, I am using 40 round Magpul PMags and Magpul D-60 drums. This gives me a very close approximation to the RPK and its use of 40 round mags and 75 round drums. With the 40 round mags and 60 round drums and the weapon placed in a fortified position, it allows 1 person to generate a nice sustained rate of fire that can help deny a threat the use of the aforementioned areas and approach avenues. This can serve multiple purposes, such as an intimidating deterrent, or, giving a couple of friends/team mates time to maneuver on the threat by keeping them pinned down.
Now, I already know what some will say. It’s not full auto so there’s no point. I beg to differ. It’s not the rate of fire that’s important, and the ability to sustain it, and with minimal personnel. The fire rate can simply be 1 round a second, or even slightly slower. When you can do that for 60 seconds straight, and then continue with a simple mag change, that’s a long time in a fight and can be very demoralizing to the threat that you have pinned down. In fact, for our purposes and role, semi-auto fire is probably better than full auto, as it lets us better manage our limited ammo supply and make each round more effective. A semi-auto fire rate also means we won’t needlessly incur damage to the barrel as easily.
By keeping the weapon the same overall system as our others, it keeps logistics simple because it will use the same part, magazines, and ammo as our individual weapons. While the first goal is not for it to be a weapon you would move around a lot with, it certainly is man portable without being overly heavy. This can give you a little extra flexibility and versatility in its employment. Now, is this something for you? I don’t know. Maybe it is, maybe it isn’t. That’s something that only you can decide. I would encourage you to give it some thought though, and discuss it with your counterparts. I was able to build this one for just over $400 not counting the bipod, optics, and magazines. For those who are AK based, you can still find RPK’s out there, though they are commanding a bit higher price than they used to.
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4
Outstanding article and content!
Thanks!
(Think I blew my comment away by accident, so if dupe, moderator please delete.)
Whatever method one uses to implement this, if you have such a piece of property by all means take the time to walk around & play the guessing game with a range finder NOW. How far, barn to mailbox by the road? How far (across a depression) to the end of the corn field? And so on. Then place some targets & shoot them from those distances. A little eating crow now is better than the alternative later. Thanks for the AP contribution.
Range Cards
What I did for our rural place is using used bicycle wheel reflectors and a range map of our property showing the range but also the color of the reflector. I mounted the reflectors on the fence posts facing towards the house , so anybody from the outside cannot see them , just us (I have a friend who works for a bike shop so he saves me the ones that get replaced). I used the white ones for the farthest ones , orange for medium range and red ones for under 100 yards .
Some posts have multiples so as to help others in zeroing in on a given area faster …” That “deer” is sneaking around that fence post with the three white reflectors on the south-west fence line.” Type of thing.
I hope this helps , please modify as you see fit.
4.5
I think you are on to something with this set-up. I just want to make one minor correction. I’m sure I’ll be corrected by others in this thread, if my information in in error. IIRC, the “maximum sustained rate of fire” for the AR-15/M16 family of weapons is 45 rounds per minute (direct impingement-gas tube variety). That would be 1 round every 1⅓ seconds, without excess heat build up. 2 rounds every 3 seconds should work just fine. This is under conditions where the heat can dissipate properly. I’m not trying to split hairs but I’m posting this in the interest of accuracy. Good article, sir.
I have no idea why folks would not see this as a “force multiplier”,along with being a familiar tool for others to use if necc.Sure,if you have the means and monies are there even more effective tools, but still,every advantage you can get and at a reasonable cost with a familiar platform seems a good idea to me,nice write up and as many folks already have a AR could be just a cost of magazines and more ammo,along with practice and finding/knowing your property and its advantages to keep you as safe as possible,nice little write up.
Would recommend the Magpul D60 over the 40-rounders generally. The Magpul D60 is less tall than your average 30-round mag, making it easy to shoot off a bipod in the prone (and easily traverse). The 40-rounders are difficult to shoot from the prone. If you’re planning for a fixed-position defense, I think the D60s are strictly superior. Buy now before Trump bans them like the bump stocks.
I just wish the D60s weren’t $120 compared to the 40’s which are $20.
I have a D60 on my near term list for the pack; other mags for movement. BFYTW’s handle above is reason enough. :)
5
Assuming you have exposed targets available in the 1st place of course . . .
An actual RPK for comparison:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BTHEF6t6Tvg
Good article, I have been thinking about this for a while now. A modernized ar version of the rpk is a wonderful idea. Imagine two or three of these things laying down sustained cover fire to protect a flying squad. If each rifleman fires 1 round every 3 seconds each person firing at a stage interval you could achieve 1 round a second at a sustained rate. I would add one thing (as the village cripple), this is the best setup for your less mobile teammates as they can get to a predetermined area and begin laying down cover.
I am new to the 5.56 and the platform what to best feed it with? 77 grain or green tip??? Godbless
Whatever you can get your hands on really. We primarily stock 55gr M193, but also have some 75 & 77 gr stuff. For this gun we’ll probably be stocking M855 for it.
Thank you Hawkeye, one follow-up question. Would you starting out (meaning first magazine) being one of the 40rd sticks or the drum? I was thinking drum as it would be easier to prone out? Does it matter?
My apologies for the slow reply. December was nuts for me.
It would depend on the situation. From a fixed position, probably the 60. If it would being used in a portable role, probably the 40. While longer than the 60, the 40 would save a little weight when you’re toting it around.
RJ, I’m pretty late to this article, but when determining what round to utilize, one must look at the target rifle’s ‘rifle twist’. M193 (55 grain) function well in 1:9″ twist barrels. Its also generally the cheapest bulk ammo for the AR pattern. 75 and 77 gr bullets need more stabilization, so are typically fired through 1:7″ or 1:8″ twist barrels. The author didn’t mention, but I would source the barrel (or rifle) for the intended ammunition. No need to go cheap and find out you have a cheap 1:9″ twist barrel but want to fling 77gr ammo down range. Another thought: most ammunition above the M855 ‘green tip’ 62gr milspec ammo is very expensive, and often will require hand loading to gain economies of scale.
As the author mentions above, I’d target either M193 or M855 ammo in bulk with a barrel to match.
Just stick with 1/7 twist barrels and then you can effectively run pretty much any 5.56 round through it, with the exception of some of the super light varmint loads.
Interesting article. Ive been thinking of doing something like this. My groups is 5.56 based as well. However, i thought of building up an AK for a similar role. I wanted to do the AK for a few reasons, ammo and 75 round mags are less expensive allowing us to stock up and keep that thirsty beast fed. The second reason was the harder hitting 30 caliber round. The 5.56s may be more precise but if someone was behind a wall, id want more punch. the other reason was the aks ability fire with the stock folded (or no stock at all) this gives you more handling ability if you were in a vehicle doing patrols. I know with going AK we lose that mag/part interchangability, but if you are basing your security on traditional fireteam setup, your assistant gunner could carry a few extra mags.
Do you have any problems with that hand guard coming loose? I recently purchased that same upper, and it doesn’t come with any kind of anti-rotational device or torque plate. Thanks.
Nope. Mine has anti-rotational tabs at the top of the handguard on either side of the receiver.
A bit off topic, but what is the camo pattern that your rifle is shown against. This appears to be the same worn in the video. I think it would work well in my AO. Who makes it/ makes clothing/ gear in that pattern.
TIA,
Hal
My compliments on an exceptionally well written article. Those of brilliant mind think alike I parochially say. I built four of these a year ago with the same mission statement. 5x primary arms optic. Same magazine load out. Magpul p60 and 40rd mags. The longer option on bipod useful like in prairie dog shooting.(true prone puts you in the grass a lot and makes target acquisition difficult. An inch and a half higher on average gives huge returns in seeing the target without much additional exposure to incoming. The barrels I chose were 1 in 8 twist 24 inch polygonal stainless. .223 Wylde cut chambers. And I load out this firearm and it’s drum/magazines with 75 grain Tula or Wolf steel case ammo. The 75 grain HP caries retained energy better at the farther end of the 5.56 mm envelope. Using 77 grain OTM for first mag where accuracy potential may be more vital. The steel case after engagement starts when volume of fire more likely the key. Still get 2.75 min/angle with the steel case .
A-TACS iX. Tru-Spec and 0241 Tactical have clothing in it. I make my gear in it as do some other good companies.
Bottom line on camo pattern: make sure its not cool, but actually works in your AO. I found that the AF ABU pattern works well in my AO, but is not as user friendly as the old army ACU or the newer combat uniform.
5
Interesting idea. Not much of a gunsmith myself, so I don’t know if it would be possible, but could the same basic thing be designed with a top-feed and a side mounted optic, a la the venerable old Bren Gun, or maybe side mounted? It seems like it would allow for a lower profile and easier mag changes. I guess you’d have to machine your own receiver and such, since nobody (that I’m aware of, at least) make a top-feed system.
Robinson Arms had the M96 that was top feed. I knew of a guy that had one a long time ago, as a safe queen though.
Or just mount the bipod on the left side of the gun and rotate the buffer tube 90 degrees clockwise (if necessary) – optic should line up with left eye.
Obviously kludgy, but reversible and far simpler than any other customization.
What pattern of camo is that in the video?
A-TACS iX.
Thanks, hawkeye. Looks like a nice pattern for me locally.
I agree with the concept whole heartedly. However I really think the weapon would be best served with an Echo Trigger in it. I’ve been thinking of this build for some time myself.
That would go against the idea of ammo management & conservation.
Definitely something for the guard force to use on the FPL (Final Protective Line). The longer barrel will help with armor penetration as well. Man I hate loading the D60s though lol